In building construction, window capping (also referred to as "window cladding" and "window wrapping") refers to the application of one material over another to provide a weather-proof layer, intended to control the infiltration of weather elements.
Window capping should provide a weather-proof cap that protects the original materials. The capping application must serve to safely direct water away from the original under-lying wood material and prevent infiltration of water into the window structure. Cladding applied to exterior window and door casing (brick-moulding) and their associated parts is often referred to as window capping or window cladding. This sort of capping is typically applied in order to eliminate the need to re-paint and maintain wood windows. An added benefit is that aluminum capping helps to prevent further catastrophic wood rot by protecting the wood from standing water and snow.
An experienced, knowledgeable and conscientious capping contractor will be skilled in the use of modern caulking and sealant materials. It is critical that the installer understand the relationship between moisture and water infiltration and the long term integrity of the material that the cladding has been applied over. Capping and caulking materials work in tandem to protect the wood beneath them.
A sill that has been clad should provide an obvious "drip cap or drip-control" function. This will serve to direct water away from the wall surface directly underneath the sill. The leading edge of the sill must be the lowest point on the sill to ensure that water does not wick back up into the wood sill material.
An experienced capping contractor should be able to advise you regarding flashing leakages and how they relate to structural wall damage.
Window capping may provide a marginal increase in energy efficiency by decreasing the potential for drafts by providing an extra barrier between the exterior and the interior.
The most common material used in residential window capping is factory painted aluminum. An alternative to factory painted aluminum is to use a vinyl coated aluminum material.
Aluminum capping can be painted so long as the painter is highly skilled and knowledgeable in the field of metal painting.
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—Don Delillo (b. 1926)